Abiodun seeks partnership with UNDP on energy transition, ICT, housing

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has sought cooperation between the State and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in housing, energy transition, ICT, women empowerment, job creation and employment.

Speaking while receiving the UNDP Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Yahya, in his Abuja office, Abiodun disclosed that those sectors were the major focus of his administration under the ISEYA Developmental Pillars.

He noted that the government had made giant strides with attendant success in those sectors.

Abiodun added that more housing units were delivered in his first term than all his predecessors.

Itemising some of his achievements, Abiodun said ” The success of the Women Empowerment programs which made giant strides in poverty alleviation via small scale lending, laying of over 5,000 KM of fiber optic to ensure hi-speed internet to all parts of the state, launch of the job portal which sought to connect employers and potential employees with over 150,000 registrations in the 1st week of launch, the construction of the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport with the longest runaway in Nigeria (4KM) in record time and the planned investment of over $400m for a planned special agric processing zone (SAPZ) in the adjourning land area to the airport to name a few”.

” All these projects have changed the face of the State as well as the well-being of the people”, Abiodun added.

The governor further recalled that the administration unveiled Mass transit buses running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), adding that the project was in line with his energy transition programme and climate change agenda.

He disclosed that EV2 and 3 wheelers would be introduced soon.

Abiodun told the delegation that his administration would seek the collaboration of the UNDP to continue to achieve set goals, going forward.

“Specifically, the meeting agreed on several areas of support between the State and the UNDP, including but not limited to the joint development of baseline data and study for specific sectors in the state, including for the poor and vulnerable towards the aim of the State Government in bridging the gap to meet SDG goals, potential collaborations in arts and creative economy, expansion of the Ogun State for Women Project, Climate Change and exploration of carbon markets, provision of TVET training, empowerment through mini grids power solutions and participation in UNDP’s Jubliee program through the state’s Ogun Teach Initiative and sustainable housing projects among others,” the governor said.

Earlier in his speech, the UNDP Representative listed the objectives of the organisation to include poverty alleviation, implementation of SDGs, deepening democratic governance, and measuring its impact.

Yahya said UNDP is funding a Jubilee Programme, with the aim of placing 20,000 Nigerians in the public and private sectors while the organisation pays their salaries for one year.

According to him, 5,000 companies have signed up to participate in the project with 4,000 placements recorded so far.

He said UNDP is also involved in other activities across the country.

The activities includes; partnership with Mastercard Foundation to support startups and build tech eco-system, energy transition with focus on carbon sinks, tourism, construction of innovation spaces in tertiary institutions to foster innovation.